Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program

Asia Society’s Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program is designed to strengthen the Society's pre-eminent role in business programming across the Society's global network of 11 centers. The program honors Jack Wadsworth, a pioneer in developing a leadership role for American business in Asia.

Almost 60 years ago, Asia Society's founder John D. Rockefeller 3rd recognized the potential of the U.S.-Asia relationship and the likelihood that Asia would be increasingly important economically in the world. Today, this relationship is critical given Asia's growing economic and financial power and the inextricably linked trade patterns between the U.S. and Asia.

Asia Society has a long history of business programming. At the center of this was the annual Asian Corporate Conference, which for 20 years created links between Asia Society's extensive network of experts, U.S. and Asian business, and key government officials from both hemispheres. With U.S. multinational companies already established in Asia and Asian companies going global in greater numbers, Asia Society is shifting its business programming to smaller conferences focused on specific areas or issues.

The Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program is designed to help meet this need, by providing provide financial support to a distinguished journalist, scholar, or practitioner with experience in Asia to spend six to nine months at one or more of Asia Society's Centers.

About Jack Wadsworth

John S. (Jack) Wadsworth, Jr. is currently an Advisory Director of Morgan Stanley and Honorary Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. He began his career at the First Boston Corporation in New York City in 1963 and in 1978 became a member of the investment banking team at Morgan Stanley. He initiated the high tech banking practice, started the venture capital business and helped organized the leverage buyout business. In 1986, Jack led the effort to obtain a seat on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Over five years in Japan, he built the firm's business from a small base to over 500 people and profitability. In 1991, he moved to Hong Kong as Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia and proceeded to expand the firm's business in rest of the Asia. When he retired in 2001, the firm had over 2000 people, 11 offices and over a billion dollars in revenue in Asia. In addition, the firm had a healthy private equity activity based in Hong Kong and had created two joint venture investment banks one in China and one in India.

Application guidelines and expectations

The Wadsworth Fellow will plan a series of cross-Center business initiatives, including programs, conferences, seminars, and roundtable discussions, designed to stimulate discussion across a range of topics and geographic locations. The Wadsworth Fellow will also provide in-house expertise on timely issues and emerging trends in the U.S.-Asia or pan-Asia business relationship. The Fellow will also organize a conference in an area of his or her expertise and will participate in panel discussions, conferences, and other events at the Society's Centers in the U.S. and Asia.

As the focal point for business-related activities at Asia Society, the Wadsworth Fellow will engage in media interviews upon request, as well as author publications under the auspices of the Asia Society Policy Institute, including op-eds and online articles. The Wadsworth Fellow will be key to building ASPI's leadership role in the strengthening of the U.S.-Asia business relationship, and will be expected to provide regular updates to select trustees and funders.

Decisions regarding the Wadsworth Fellow will be made by a committee comprising Asia Society's Executive Vice President, Vice President for Policy Programs, Vice President for Global Programs, and Vice President for Operations. A contributing leader in the financial and business community will also be recruited to serve on the committee.

The committee is looking for accomplished, senior-level individuals with extensive expertise in and knowledge of the business and trade relationship between the U.S. and Asia. Applicants for Wadsworth Fellows should meet the following criteria:

A journalist, academic, or business leader with deep expertise in the Asia-Pacific region and business and trade issues between the U.S. and Asia. A period of residence in Asia would be an important consideration

Commitment to engaging a broad global audience and willingness to serve as resource for Asia Society business programs

Strong oral and written communicator; strong record of published articles relating to business in Asia and media appearances

Willingness to travel to Asia Society’s Centers and participation in Asia Society programs is required

ASPI is not yet accepting applications and nominations for the 2015 Jack Wadsworth Fellows program. We will open a call for applications in the coming months. If you have questions about the program, please email them to Anubhav Gupta at [email protected] with the subject line “Jack Wadsworth Fellows Program.”

Connect

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government. All views expressed in its publications and on its website are the sole responsibility of the author or authors.